At No. 29, estheticians make a median salary of $28,640. How did a job that pays so little get on this list? It's because the BLS is expecting the field to grow in size by 40% between 2012 and 2022.

At No. 29, estheticians make a median salary of $28,640. How did a job that pays so little get on this list? It's because the BLS is expecting the field to grow in size by 40% between 2012 and 2022.

Photo: Kat Wade, SFC

At No. 29, estheticians make a median salary of $28,640. How did a... Photo-6003683.81683 - GreenwichTime

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At No. 28, veterinary technologists and technicians make a median salary of $30,290. But with a 2.2% unemployment rate and 25,000 new jobs expected in the next decade, the occupation looks more desirable.

At No. 28, veterinary technologists and technicians make a median salary of $30,290. But with a 2.2% unemployment rate and 25,000 new jobs expected in the next decade, the occupation looks more desirable.

Photo: Lisa Powell, Associated Press

At No. 28, veterinary technologists and technicians make a median... Photo-6003684.81683 - GreenwichTime

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At No. 27, massage therapists make a median salary of $35,970. But the job market is expected to increase by 22.6% in the next decade. Plus, there is an altruistic factor of alleviating people's physical pain.

At No. 27, massage therapists make a median salary of $35,970. But the job market is expected to increase by 22.6% in the next decade. Plus, there is an altruistic factor of alleviating people's physical pain.

At No. 26, diagnostic medical sonographers make a median salary of $65,860. On top of a solid salary, there is high demand for sonographers; the BLS expects 27,000 new jobs to be created between 2012 and 2022.

At No. 26, diagnostic medical sonographers make a median salary of $65,860. On top of a solid salary, there is high demand for sonographers; the BLS expects 27,000 new jobs to be created between 2012 and 2022.

As baby boomers age and approach retirement, occupational therapy is growing in demand. At No. 21, occupational therapy assistants make a median salary of $53,240 and expect a 42.6% increase in employment growth. less

As baby boomers age and approach retirement, occupational therapy is growing in demand. At No. 21, occupational therapy assistants make a median salary of $53,240 and expect a 42.6% increase in employment ... more

If you are scared of blood, this is not the job for you. If you are not, phlebotomists are an excellent career option at No. 16. Making a median salary of $29,370, phlebotomists expect 27% employment growth.

If you are scared of blood, this is not the job for you. If you are not, phlebotomists are an excellent career option at No. 16. Making a median salary of $29,370, phlebotomists expect 27% employment growth.

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Chronicle

If you are scared of blood, this is not the job for you. If you are... Photo-6003698.81683 - GreenwichTime

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At No. 15, market research analysts make a median salary of $60,300. But the job market is expecting a 31.6% employment growth, a rate much higher than the national average.

At No. 15, market research analysts make a median salary of $60,300. But the job market is expecting a 31.6% employment growth, a rate much higher than the national average.

If you have an "employment at all costs" mentality, then physician assistants are perfect for you. With a 1.2% unemployment rate and a median salary of $90,930, physician assistants are a fantastical job choice at No. 13. less

If you have an "employment at all costs" mentality, then physician assistants are perfect for you. With a 1.2% unemployment rate and a median salary of $90,930, physician assistants are a fantastical job choice ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

If you have an "employment at all costs" mentality, then... Photo-6003702.81683 - GreenwichTime

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At No. 12, database administrators make a median salary of $77,080. In an era of free-flowing information, database administrators are being increasingly coveted by companies.

At No. 12, database administrators make a median salary of $77,080. In an era of free-flowing information, database administrators are being increasingly coveted by companies.

In the era of information, privacy and security is growing in importance. At No. 11, information security analysts make a median salary of $86,170 and expect an employment growth of 36.5% by 2022.

In the era of information, privacy and security is growing in importance. At No. 11, information security analysts make a median salary of $86,170 and expect an employment growth of 36.5% by 2022.

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty Images

In the era of information, privacy and security is growing in... Photo-6003704.81683 - GreenwichTime

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Dental hygiene is an oft-forgotten yet integral part of our well-being. When that tooth starts aching, dental hygienists, who are at No. 10 with a median salary of $70,210, are there to help.

Dental hygiene is an oft-forgotten yet integral part of our well-being. When that tooth starts aching, dental hygienists, who are at No. 10 with a median salary of $70,210, are there to help.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Dental hygiene is an oft-forgotten yet integral part of our... Photo-6003705.81683 - GreenwichTime

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Since we are so close to Silicon Valley, we know how well-paid web developers are. At No. 9, web developers a comfortable median salary of $62,500 and employment growth of around 20% in the next decade.

Since we are so close to Silicon Valley, we know how well-paid web developers are. At No. 9, web developers a comfortable median salary of $62,500 and employment growth of around 20% in the next decade.

Photo: Liz Hafalia, The Chronicle

Since we are so close to Silicon Valley, we know how well-paid web... Photo-6003706.81683 - GreenwichTime

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There is a perpetual shortage of physicians in the United States, and the demand for one is getting higher. At No. 8, physicians make an incredible median salary of $191,520 and expect 123,000 new jobs created by 2022. less

There is a perpetual shortage of physicians in the United States, and the demand for one is getting higher. At No. 8, physicians make an incredible median salary of $191,520 and expect 123,000 new jobs created ... more

Photo: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN, AFP/Getty Images

There is a perpetual shortage of physicians in the United States,... Photo-6003707.81683 - GreenwichTime

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The population is aging, and that means more people are looking for physical therapy. At No. 7, physical therapists make a median salary of $79,860 and expect a 36% employment growth for the next decade.

The population is aging, and that means more people are looking for physical therapy. At No. 7, physical therapists make a median salary of $79,860 and expect a 36% employment growth for the next decade.

Photo: James Tensuan, SFC

The population is aging, and that means more people are looking for... Photo-6003708.81683 - GreenwichTime

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Much like physical therapists, registered nurses are growing in demand. At No. 6, registered nurses make a median salary of $65,470, and the BLS anticipates a 19.4% employment growth by 2022.

Much like physical therapists, registered nurses are growing in demand. At No. 6, registered nurses make a median salary of $65,470, and the BLS anticipates a 19.4% employment growth by 2022.